What Matters Most?

Using your strengths to impact well-being

Ryan M. Niemiec Psy.D.

When You Feel Lonely, Try These 5 Social Strengths

When people feel isolated, lonely, or excluded, they report using these five character strengths to lift them up.

The 5 Mental Strengths People Most Wish For

The character strengths that people want for their mental health may surprise you. Are these important to you as well?

How to Build Your Judgment and Critical Thinking

Blessed are the critical thinkers, for they help us understand and find truth. See this blessing unfold in a dialogue with a great critical thinker.

How to Become More Creative

"Blessed are the creative, for they spark fresh choices and new growth." Understand this beatitude/blessing through a powerful story and apply it in your own life.

How to Become More Brave

Everyone could use more bravery. Learn how through a compelling story and the new bravery blessing.

War and Helplessness: 5 Ways to Feel Better Now

Feeling overwhelmed by the war? Take control by creating more peace.

10 New Studies on Strengths and Adversity

Looking for new ways to manage adversity in life? Turn to the latest research in the science of character.

Just Released: New Findings on Character Strengths

The science of character strengths took another leap forward with a special journal issue dedicated to understanding, studying, and developing what is best in human beings.

The Strengths of a King: What I Learned From Larry King

What is it like to be interviewed by a living legend? What if anxiety attempts to get in your way? How might character strengths be helpful to make the most of the experience?

7 Quick Ways to Build Your Gratitude Mindset

Want to build your gratitude mindset? This approach can boost your physical, psychological, and social well-being.

3 Fathering Strategies: Mindfulness, Savoring, and Flow

Develop these three states of mind to connect more with your kids.

How to Use Humility Right Now

Use these five steps to understand and grow your strength.

Humility + White People = Justice Action

The importance of humility before, during, and after activism and protests.

Gentleness Is a Strength: Go Softly, Slowly, and Sweetly

Gentleness is a constellation of several character strengths. There is a great need for it right now.

Find Strength in Your Grief

A grief psychologist, Dr. Maria Sirois, offers insight, inspiration, and hope for all of us living in this new COVID-19 world.

The World Needs You—All 24 of Your Best Qualities

How character strengths are an imperative right now, and what you can do.

Coronavirus Coping: 6 Ways Your Strengths Will Help You

How your internal qualities can directly help you with the coronavirus situation.

Comparing the Two Biggest Personality Models: Big 5 and VIA

Compares and contrasts the Big Five personality model and VIA Classification of character strengths. Offers practical ways to integrate the two and highlights scientific findings.

6 Quick Ways to Use Your Strengths

When it comes to our strengths, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out our next step. Here are six action ideas you can take today to develop your strengths.